Full Newsletter What’s New From Government Relations Federal Issues State Issues Local Issues Record Number of Lawmakers Sign as AKC Meet the Breeds Honorary Chair Supreme Court: Public Notice Not Required for Revising Interpretive Rules Tales from the Trenches: Help Prevent Bad Dog Law

Spring is an incredibly busy season for those involved with canine legislation.  As it currently stands, thirty-nine states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are still in session, and AKC GR is currently tracking more than 2,000 bills across the United States. Positive, fact-based messaging is a tangible reminder to legislators of the value that fanciers, […]

Summertime means parades, picnics, public events—and legislatures adjourning or going into recess.  Over the next few months, many state and federal legislators will be back in their districts. This is an excellent opportunity to let them know about the wonderful things you and your club do for dogs and the community, and perhaps even consider […]

It seems hard to believe that it is almost Thanksgiving.  AKC Government Relations continues to be hard at work around the country, but we would be remiss if we did not pause for a moment and thank the federations, legislative liaisons, breeders, and local dog owners around the country who have taken the time this […]

As a breeder, you are dedicated to your dogs and your breed. You spend countless hours, time, and energy to ensure your dogs are healthy, well cared for, and loved.  And the American Kennel Club is committed to partnering with you to help achieve these goals through a myriad of programs, education, and resources. One […]

Following the devastating announcement that the annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade had been canceled, the community banded together to ensure its return in 2018 with a successful crowdfunding campaign. At the final hour, the fest was brought back, and all rejoiced-- after all, what would Halloween in New York even be like without this […]

Dog owners are nothing if not fickle in their tastes. Breed popularity is cyclical through the years and, too often, based on a dog’s random star turn in a movie, TV commercial, or YouTube video (with little research done on the breed’s exercise and grooming needs.) What Happened to Afghan Hounds? Most people are surprised […]

People in the sport of dogs can wear many hats, and Bonnie Threlfall of Cary, North Carolina, has pretty much donned them all: Born into a dog-show family, she has been breeding her Edgewood English Cocker Spaniels for more than 40 years. After a decade-long stint as a professional handler in the late 1970s into […]

There was a time not long ago that nearly every advertisement featuring a child with a dog seemed to include a Lab or a Golden Retriever, consistently among the most popular dog breeds in America. Today, there’s a bit more variety in the breeds being photographed with children for commercial advertising. Perhaps the public perception […]

By April 2019, Bryan Bailey was a desperate man. In September 2018, he and his wife Kira had welcomed a Siberian Husky puppy into their lives. Tikaani was beautiful—solid black with white paws—reminding Bryan of the sled dogs from his childhood in Alaska. But Tikaani was wasting away. Almost as soon as he arrived at Bryan and […]

In 1939, a million Americans a year paid admission to attend AKC shows exhibiting over 100,000 dogs across the country. The mightiest events, Westminster and Morris & Essex, reported record-setting entry numbers during the 1930s that have still never been topped. Savvy publicity efforts and new AKC publications brought the formerly closed-circuit world of purebred dog breeding and exhibition to the American public, who clamored for more. […]

Whiskey is typically an acquired taste. But at the largest-ever AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin on December 15 and 16, judges and spectators alike toasted a 3-year-old Whippet by that name who went all the way to Best in Show under judge Elliott B. Weiss. The First Whippet Winner Platinum Grand Champion Pinnacle […]

Here’s a simple prescription for what ails you: a furry friend. You already knew that, but the new book Doctor Dogs by Maria Goodavage will likely reinforce that conviction. A series of colorful case histories accented with wit, the book personalizes a wide array of medical disorders and the ways in which dogs assist us.

While every breed has a shot at winning Best in Show at any given dog show, there are some dogs whose stand-on-your-tippy-toes glamour simply makes them hard to ignore. And the Poodle, with his halo of perfectly coiffed fur and showy attitude (so distinctive that it has spawned its eponymous adjective – “Poodley"), is undoubtedly […]

Each October, hundreds of dogs and thousands of spectators flock to New York City's East Village to experience the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade. Variously described as "the biggest Halloween costume contest for dogs in the world" (CNN) and "barking mad" (The Guardian), the parade draws all types of dogs in costumes for the enjoyment of […]

Dogs from 49 States and 21 Countries  Will Vie for Best in Show NEW YORK, NY (November 20, 2018) – The AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin has drawn record entry numbers in its 18th year. An entry of 5,003 dogs will compete for the title of National Champion on December 15 and 16, […]

Orlando, FL (Dec. 14, 2018) – Aperture I Think I'M Going To Like It Here, a Whippet known as “Lizzie” triumphed over almost 1,300 dogs ages six months to 18 months to become the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy of the Year, held today in Orlando, Fla in conjunction with the AKC National Championship […]

National Champion Beats Dogs from 49 States and 21 Countries GCHP CH Pinnacle Tennessee Whiskey, a Whippet known as “Whiskey,” triumphed over more than 5,000 entries to earn a $50,000 cash prize and the title of Best in Show at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, held December 15-16, 2018 in Orlando, Fla. […]

[caption id="attachment_74109" align="alignnone" width="646"] Follow the lives of 7 growing puppies via social media[/caption] Make way for the puppies! The American Kennel Club (AKC®) introduces seven adorable puppies that will make up its first ever “AKC Puppy Pack”. The AKC will follow the story of these puppies as they grow, learn and wiggle their way […]

- German Shorthaired Pointer Continues its Ascent Up the List - The Labrador Retriever once again breaks records! The American Kennel Club (AKC®) announced at a press conference today at the AKC Museum of the Dog that the loveable Lab remains the number one most popular breed in the United States. Additionally, AKC registration continues […]

Some people live by the motto "bigger is better," and it extends to their dogs too. There are many large dog breeds, each with different care and training needs. Exercise Most large dog breeds were bred for a purpose or function. Some breeds were meant to be hunters, others guard dogs. Dogs with great endurance […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2019 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15, 2019. The 2019 event will showcase the top national and international canine athletes […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="Sequence in Soaring Soren for Grades K-1"] Sequence in Soaring Soren : Grades K-1 Learning Objectives Students will be able to sequence events in a fiction story. Grade Levels K-1 Common Core Standard CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.2* With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2 Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their […]

The AKC works with several non-AKC service and sports organizations to recognize the titles that AKC-registered dogs earn in their programs. This includes the AKC Therapy Dog titling program and the AKC Search & Rescue title program. AKC also recognizes titles of the Barn Hunt Association (BHA); North American Diving Dogs (NADD); and the North […]

The AKC now works with several non-AKC service and sports organizations to recognize the titles that AKC-registered dogs earn in their programs. This includes the AKC Therapy Dog titling program and the AKC Search & Rescue title program. AKC also recognizes titles of the Barn Hunt Association (BHA); North American Diving Dogs (NADD); and the […]

The AKC Puppy Pack tells the story of our puppies’ lives through engaging, educational and of course cute photos and videos on Instagram. This program covers the first year of 7 puppies’ lives as they attend veterinarian visits, participate in training, sports & events, and the day-to-day trials, tribulations and joys of raising a puppy. […]

Late Start in Agility Does Not Slow Down Joelle Joelle, formally known as Ma Belle Joelle MX MXJ MJB XF T2B CA BCAT DM CGC, is an 8-year-old rescue dog who did not start taking agility classes until she was nearly 4 years old. Her owner, Ali Park of Williamsburg, Virginia, thought she was getting a laid-back Mastiff when she […]

American Kennel Club is pleased to partner with book authors in order to provide educators with unique lesson plans and activities aligned with popular books. [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Book Studies"] "Because of Bentley" by Loren Spiotta-DiMare "No Better Friend: Young Reader's Edition" by Robert Weintraub "Peyton Goes to the Dog Show" by Lee Canalizo "Sashi the […]

As breeders, exhibitors and club members, we would all likely agree that our dogs have a powerful effect on almost everything we do. For many of us, dogs have changed our lives in incredible ways. I am certainly no exception. Never could I have guessed back in 1965 that a Bedlington Terrier from Gimbel’s department […]

Twelve dogs in the AKC Canine Partners program are entered in the 2019 AKC Obedience Classic that takes place Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 14 - 15, in Orlando, FL, in conjunction with the AKC/Royal Canin National Championship and AKC Agility Invitational. There will be competition at every level of obedience - Novice, Open, Utility and Masters - […]